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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Cheer up my lads bless 'em all The Long
and The Short and The Tall The Grange Players
Grange Playhouse
****
WILLIS Hall’s powerful and often brutal account of a group of soldiers
fighting both themselves and the enemy was controversial stuff when it
premiered at The Royal Court in 1959. Fifty five
years on, it still packs a punch. Proof that good writing does not date
- even if political correctness goes out the window. The play is littered with
terms and language that would be deemed unacceptable today. To cut it,
though, or even to dilute it would detract from the reality and grit of
the dialogue. It is of its time and anything
different would be inaccurate and far less interesting. Credit to
director, Rosemary Manjunath for sticking to her guns and staying loyal
to Hall’s original script. An all male cast bond
beautifully from start to finish, each displaying separate and
well-drawn characteristics. Dexter Whitehead leads the
line impressively as Sgt Mitchem - barking orders one minute and
wresting with own conscience, the next.
Robert Newton, as the cocksure
Bamforth, struts and backchats with real energy and excellent timing.
Armed not only with a gun but most of the non pc lines, he delivers with
conviction. Joe Hicklin broods as McCleish
- a seemingly dour Scot with an abilty to turn at any second. Fine performances, too from
David Thane, George Wyton, Aarron Armstrong-Craddock and Gary Pritchard. Poor Jason Lee is pushed and
shoved rather a lot as The Japanese Soldier. Not a speaking part but a
pivotal one none the less. Attention to detail is
excellent - from costume to set, through to a lighting plot that
suggests a very hot and sticky location. This is a play packed with
tension and pace. Language may be industrial at times but its never
gratuitous and only reflective of how it actually was. Willis Hall
should know, he was a soldier after all. The Grange Players have a long
and proud history of producing diverse and quality theatre. This does
nothing to dent that reputation. Tickets are selling fast - snap them up
while you can! To 22-03-14. Tom
Roberts
And from the deep in the jungle . . . **** BLESS ‘em all. The eight-strong cast of
this Willis Hall Second World War drama spend most of the time inside a
deserted storage hut in the Malayan jungle but manage to convey the full
range of emotional situations on the verge of impending conflict. Seven of them are a British army patrol hoping to
reach base camp 15 miles away, but their fading radio picks up faint
Japanese voices and suddenly the soldiers are in great peril. The first act is fairly low key, with petty
arguments between the troops creating most of the interest and Londoner
Private Bamforth turning out to be a real barrack room lawyer who could
pick a fight in an empty lift. But ‘Bammo’, superbly played by Robert Newton,
shows a far more pleasant side to his personality after the group
capture a Japanese soldier, treat him roughly, and eventually have to
consider killing him to improve their chances of escape. That is where the play really shows its teeth,
with Dexter Whitehead giving a powerful performance as the heavy smoking
Sgt ‘Mitch’ Mitchem who has to keep the peace between his own men while
planning to try to save their skins. The set - the interior of a wooden hut - is
fairly simple, but jungle views through two windows create realism
in a play well directed by Rosemary Manjunath. David Thane (Cpl Johnstone), Joseph Hicklin (L/Cpl
McLeish), George Wyton (Pte Whitaker), Aarron Armstrong-Craddock (Pte
Evans) and Gary Pritchard (Pte Smith) all contribute well, while Jason
Lee is excellent as the bullied Japanese solider, without saying a word.
To 22-03-14. Paul Marston |
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